Study Finds People Who Prefer Alone Time Are Usually Smarter

There are two types of people in this world: introverts, and extroverts. If you are introverted, then those who are extroverted have likely pointed a finger at you at some time or another and told you that you need to get out and enjoy life.

Although we know that people are having a good time when they go out with friends, we often feel comfortable when we sit and enjoy a little time on the sofa to ourselves. As it turns out, being introverted is not bad and it may actually be a sign of true intelligence.

The Singapore Management University and the London School of Economics ran a recent study that showed people often socialize with those that they are comfortable with. They socialize in order to be happy, but those who prefer spending time alone are likely happy with themselves.

Psychologists conducted two different studies and then used the data in order to come up with the results. They also looked at a national review that took place with over 15,000 people in the United States and all between the ages of 18 and 28.

In the first study, they looked at a link between the intelligence test scores and the population density where they lived. They wanted to find out if they were satisfied with their lives and how they reported it. In the second study, they looked at the IQ scores of the subjects and compared them with how satisfied they were with their life and if they socialize with friends.

As it turns out, those who were in less populated areas tended to feel happier but those with higher IQ scores who lived in the same areas felt less satisfied.

Most people that were part of the study were also happiest when they socialized frequently. Then again, the intelligent people in the study reported that they were less satisfied when they spend more time with their friends.

Although it may seem as if this is a contradiction, there is actually something that can be learned from it. The psychologists associated with the study say that it involves the “savanna theory of happiness.”

It has to do with the time that humans were hunter-gatherers. In order to survive, they had to spend time with friends. That isn’t the case today but it may have a leftover result of us feeling unhappy when we are isolated from others.

Individuals who have higher IQs, however, tend to fall into a different category. The scientists feel that their intelligent brains tend to adopt more and they favored being alone rather than being around the crowd.